After deadly Parkland shooting, deputies will now carry AR-15 rifles on school grounds, sheriff says

Broward County sheriff's deputies will now carry AR-15 rifles while on school campuses following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, last week, Sheriff Scott Israel announced today.

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Israel suggested a "three-pronged approach" to better secure schools, which includes fortifying the buildings, evaluating how many school resource deputies are needed at each school and sensible gun control.

"There are some people in this country that shouldn't be allowed to have a gun," Israel said.

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Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is pictured in an aerial view in Parkland, Florida, Feb. 15, 2018.

At least one armed school resource deputy was on campus at the time of the shooting, and his response and actions will be "looked at and scrutinized," Israel said.

"You're darn right he was prepared to do something about it," Israel said of the school resource deputy.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump held a listening session with students and parents affected by school shootings. In addition, lawmakers in Florida are facing political pressure following the Parkland shooting.

WPLG

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel announced that sheriff's deputies will now be carrying AR-15 rifles while on school grounds.

Israel thanked the numerous law enforcement agencies that assisted in the shooting response and commended the students who traveled to Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., to speak out about gun control.

The sheriff vowed to remain transparent throughout the investigation and keep the public informed as important information comes to light.

Cruz was arrested in a residential neighborhood near his former high school more than an hour after the shooting began. He was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder and is being held in a Broward County jail.